SmartyPig

We’ve been talking about saving for this holiday season since, well, January. The average holiday price ticket increases a bit each year, with the same expected this year. I like a good deal as much as the next gal, but thoroughly believe “Black Friday” is simply a clever marketing holiday, in which good deals exist, but better deals can easily be found. And Kentin Waits from Wisebread seemingly agrees. This finance (and apparently holiday shopping) expert sets Thanksgiving as his deadline, using simple guidelines to help him achieve a tree full of thoughtful (and discounted) gifts at no extra sweat off his back.

Planning ahead and starting early not only gets you the most thoughtful gifts, it allows you time to scout deals and really get the most for your money. An “artful” approach to shopping as Waits calls it. So you shop early and advoid the large crowds that days like Black Friday bring, but do you really get better deals than that end of the week shopping holiday? “If the concept of supply and demand holds any water at all, the best bargains are found right after the holidays or at any other time of year,” says Waits. “When you factor in the logistics of battling the crowds, the stress, the credit crunch of buying everything at once, the last-minute splurges just to push through to the finish line, holiday shopping during the holidays is a budget-buster.”

So whether you start today on Halloween or you start on January one, the important part is planning, saving, and keeping this expensive time of the year fun and stress free. And the best part? SmartyPig is the BEST place to help you accomplish all of that and so much more!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

Someone asked me the other day how the recent state of the economy has changed me. Like most, I certainly stick closer to my budget and sadly, have seen my travel aspirations take a back seat for the time being. I came upon an article today on CNN Money featuring seven stories of exactly how this downturn has impacted those individuals or families. Most of these indivuals share my viewpoint and adhere to a stricter budget or take fewer risks like skipping out on investment properties or expensive vacations.

The Hailes family eats out less, and opts for more family time at home. Donna Lubrano agrees, and also adds that she opts for free or cheap entertainment in place of regular, pricey, evenings out. I think we’ll all agree tackling debt and saving in a rough economy can be especially difficult, which is why I find the Edwards couple so inspiring. With $64,000 in consumer debt just three years ago, they dug in their heels and climbed out, paying off credit cards and student and car loans. To date, they still avoid plastic AND have managed to save $13,000 in an emergency fund, a must in today’s economy. Edwards adds, “I used to think about what new big purchase I’d pay off with each paycheck. But now, because I only spend money that I have, I don’t have to think about paying off the purchase at all. I just enjoy the item or the trip.”

We hope you’ve asked yourself this question recently and we really hope you found part of your answer with us here at SmartyPig. If not, now is the time to start a new goal and begin resting easier!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

The importance of balance is a rule we hear of often. Most times it hints to the ever important, “work-life” balance we all work so hard at reaching. This equilibrium can best be described as having a fulfilling, rich personal life, that doesn’t get in the way of a successful career. Have you ever thought about what goes into keeping the scales balanced on your money-life platform?

According to J.P. Morgan Chase and Co, “a reasonable money-life balance considers the positive emotional benefits that go along with behaving responsibly with money.” In short:  money-life balance is achieved by keeping your credit card bills clear and therefore receiving the emotional benefits of a debt-free lifestyle. DailyFinance.com discusses the balance that only 1/3 of surveyed individuals claim to have achieved. The experts at Daily Finance suggest the best way to achieve this balance is by creating a budget to eliminate precious time spent on deciding whether or not you can afford an item. They further urge consumers with a tendency to overspend to front load a pre-paid card for spending, exactly like that which SmartyPig offers. And lastly, these experts suggest using our friends at Mint.com and us right here at SmartyPig to help manage your saving, spending, and goals. It’s a winning combination!

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

Unless you’ve been living under a rock as of late, you’ve surely seen one of many financial site’s articles on “living well on $20,000 a year,” “Our household income is under $40,000,” and so on. So, how low can you go? It seems that Yahoo.com has won that war this month with an article on one gentlemen’s comfortable lifestyle at just $11,000 a year. Glenn Morrissette survives on this seemingly sparse salary by living full time in an RV, keeping his clothing purchases basic, and his entertainment needs low. He doesn’t eat ramen noodles every night and he doesn’t go uninsured. He just lives modestly and therefore reaps the rewards, to him:  a simple, debt free lifestyle, to me:  a LOT of money I could be saving each month.

In a time when frugal is not just trendy, it’s a new mainstay; what are you as a consumer cutting back on? We’ve posed this question to our Twitter and Facebook followers, only to receive an overwhelming number of ways to cut back on your spending and drop more money in your pig, SmartyPig that is. Favorites include:  becoming a one-car family, cutting cable, skipping lattes, and packing lunches. A few dollars each day really adds up. So whether it’s a simple lifestyle you crave, or generous contributions to your savings goals, get trendy this year by cutting back and saving more! Feels good, right?

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com

According to the Census Bureau, “the typical American family’s income, adjusted for inflation is now roughly where it was in 1996.” Which means it’s more important than ever to conserve cash. You know that sticking your money with SmartyPig is the fastest way to grow your savings, and the most rewarding, too. But how do you conserve your cash to help feed the pig?

Stacey Johnson of MoneyTalksNews.com slams us with the top 5 ways Americans waste their money. The bank busters include:  buying more house than you need and buying new when used will do. Scaling back your living and driving situation helps immensely. $200 or $300 on a mortgage or car payment each month really adds up. Other tips include skipping brand name products for the generic; do your kids really know if your ketchup is Heinz or store brand? Bartering for good deals (see aforementioned car buying suggestions.) And lastly: don’t pay credit card interest. Ever. The only interest you should be concerned with is the interest SmartyPig is paying you to help you reach your goals.

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com